Water-softening apparatus



Dec. H7 l928.

H. A. TOULMIN, JR

WATER SOFTENING APARA'TUS 6 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1926 I MRRY A. TauL Mm., JR.

ATTORNEYS.

H. A. TOULMIN, .1R

WATER SQFTENING APPARATUS Dec. 11, 1928. v 1,694,457

Filed Sept. 9, 1926 l 6 SheebS-Sheeb 5 INI/ENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 1 1, y1928.

H. A. TOULMIN. JR

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS 9 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept.

FIG. I'

' INVENTOR.V HHRRY ATOUL 1l/v, JR, Bm M,

ATTORNEYS.

De@ M, w12@ y 1,694,457

H. A. TQULMFBL JR l WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed sep-1;. 9 192e 6 Sheets-sheet -5 ATTORNEYS.'

Een., E El, E928.

H. A. TOULMN, JR

www?

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1926 1,

a sheets-sheet IN V EN TOR,

A TTORNEYS.

according to the* amount of water passing Patented Een. "il, 1928 near carica,

lnanny A. x'.iouniiiiir, Jn., OF narratore'A OHIO, Assiettes. 'ro THE nUnooOMPAnY, or

. DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION oroHio.

- Wn'rnnsornitme errane'rus.

,application mea september e, i926. serial no. 134,559.

'My invention relates tov water softening v apparatus.

It--is the object of my invention. to provide a water softening-apparatus which will be automatically operated through the aglency of the change in pressure in a pressure c nambei' connected to one of the water lines or the water softening system.

It is afurther ob'ect to provide means of converting the'systern from softening toiregenerating position and back to softening position through the increase and decreaseV of pressure in the pressure reservoir which controls the' stopping and starting of the setting. mechanism Vwhich is moved to a predetermined position -to permit the change .of position of the parts of the system to convert the softener from softening position to'regenerating position or back to softening position. i v

y, It is .a furtherobjectto provide a waterl softener in which the movement of the water in 'the incoming hard water line .decreases the pressure ina pressure reservoir and therecauses the setting mechanism to beoperated so long astlie water is 'passing through they system so that the system is operated therethrough.

Referring to the drawings; g

Figure 1 is aside elevation of .the complete apparatus `with-the softening tank partiallyin;y section with thereservoir 1n section and with lthe brinetank in section;

- Figure 2' is a detail elevation' of the needle 'control -valve partially'in section with the driving gear partiallybrolien away;

Figure 8 is afsection through one of the hydrostatic control valves. of the -system which is normally closed;

Figure 4 is a Section through the main hard water line, feed lineand injector for the reservoir.;

Figure 5 is an elevation partially 1n section .of the pneumaticswitch andthe top of the reservoir with the switch in'closedposition when pressure in the reservoir isdecreased;

Figure 6 is asimilar view with the switch in open position showingthe `parts as ar- 'ranged when the pressure is at its maximum;

y Figure 7 is a wiring diagram of the switch Vand motor; A

Figure 8 is a section through the injector mechanism for .drawing the brine into the softening tank;

Figure 9 is a section through one of the control valves normally open' isaiasi Figure l is'a detail view of the driving gear from the motorarmature shaft to the gear for thec'am which operates the needlevalve shown -in Figure 2;

Y Figure 11 is a section through the brine tank, refill valve and brine valve mechanism; l Figure 12 is a plan View thereof; and Figure 13 is asection on the line 13-13 of Fig-ure12. Y

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 isa softening tank'iontaining softening material u 2 resting on the screen 3 over the grating ,4. A similar screen and grating is shown located at the top of the tank. is an incoming hard water line in which is located a fitting consistingof a casing 6 attached to th'ea hard waterline by the collars 7 and sleeves 8. This fitting. contains a'pa'ir of diverging arms 9 and which communicate'with the hard water line 5 at their. free ends and iiierge into one another into the chamber 11 at their other ends, which chamber` 11 is connected to the pipe 12 that leads to the -pressure reservoir x13.

The arcuate pipe` 9 has a iittingin theend thereof designated 14 provided' with a small opening 15 which allows theI water in the pipe line' to enter under pressure when the water -in'the pipe line is not in movement due to the thereby setting up a suction in the pipe l0"and pipe 12 withdrawing the water from the reservoir land reducing the pressure'therein.

' When this movement of water has not takenplace, the water will pass through the fine I opening'l-and through the opening of the in-- jector 16 building up the pressure in the reservoir, but as the opening is not large enough topermit this building up of pressure to take place when the water is moved in the pipe 5 and atthe same time the water is being drawn through the pipe 10 nov building up of pres# sure will take place'when the water is flowing through the pipe 5 to the softener.

The reservoir 13 has mounted on the top thereof a switch of any desired character, one

form of which l have' shown in the drawings..

The switch shown is of the pressure type conswitch. Bolts 21^join the diaphragm and the pressure of the spring 24.

associated parts to one another as illustrated. This diaphragm engages with the base 22 of a switch plunger 23, which is normally in due to the the position shown in Figure 5 In the jaws of the b ase 22 is located one arm i of a bell crank -25 carrying a rollerf26. ,This bell crankjis pivoted ori the frame" -at 27.

29 engaging 'withfthe jaws 30 of a second bell l Aline 5 enters the pipe 77 and proceeds'past the The other arm of the bell crank 28 has a roller crank pivoted at 31 on the frame, which bell crank carries a connecting pin 32 and a helical spring =33, the other ends of whichare mounted on the arm 344 of a third bell crank pivoted atj35 on the frame. This third bell crank carries a plate of insulation 36 and contact members 37 and 38 jointed together by thel electrical connector 39. Thesel contacts en-v gage the' stationary contacts 4() and 41which are connected by the wires 42 to a source o current-and the motor 43.

' As the pressure -in the reservoir increases to its maximum, the contacts are broken and the circuit is broken, but, when the pressure decreases, the contacts are 'made and the circuit is completed through the agency of the springI 24 which forces the switch plunger 23 downwardly. I do not this particular switch, but utilize it as one of the forms which is suitable and adaptable for this purpose.

A' float switch may be utilized instead Qf'a pressure switch, which will change its posi-` tion due to the change in level of thewater in the reservoir 13.

. The motor 43 operates its armature shaft- 44'and the worm 45 thereon. This, inturn, operates suitable gearing 46, 47 48 and 49.

The last mentioned gear 49 is mounted on the shaft 50. On this shaft is carried a cam 51 in the frame 52 mounted on the table 53. This table also supports the reservoir 13 and the motor 43 as well as the frame 54k supporting the gear connecting the motor 'and the cam.

Pivoted upon the frame 52 is a cam-follower arm 55 pivoted on the frame at 56 and having its free end pivotally connected at 57 to the needle valve stem 58. This cam folloewer carries a roller 59 which operates upon'fthe margin of the cam 51. When the high point o' 'this cam designated 60 engages the roller it depresses the valve stem 58 against-the resistance of the spring 61 and depresses the valve member 62 of the needle valve carried on the valve stem 58 admitting hydrostatic claim anything in connection with needle valve casing 66 supported by the bracket 52, whence it passes into the pipe 67 andpipe 68. The pipe 67 conveys hydrostatic pressure to the valves 69, 7 O andv 71 known respectively as the down tlowcontrol valve 69,

up flow control valve70 and drainl valve 71.

.The pipe 68 conveys hydrostatic pressure to the refill valve 7 2 and the brine valve 73'. When the system is in softening position,

it is necessary to drain 0H the accumulated'.

hydrostatic pressure in the chamber 65, which n is done by permitting the water to escape Lthrough the small opening 74 into the drain pipe7 5 which is connected to the main drain pipe76. v

The hard water comingin through the pipe valve 7 0 to the bottom of the softening tank.

This valve 70 i's normally open and is notl by the-valve 69 which is normally closed and which will be seen-illustrated in detail in section in Figure. This valve consists of a diaphragm chamber 86, a diaphragm 87 ,a valve stem 88 and avalve member 89 normally closing a port 9.0 ina partition 91 in the pipe .line 85. i

The drain valve 71 is similarly constructed and is normally closed. l'

The water during the softening passes through the pipe 77 up through the mineral 2 and out the top through the pipe 92',

whence it passes out the service line 93.

When the needle valve is open the hydrostatic pressure opens' vthe drain valve 71 shutting the upilow valve 70 and opening ythe down-iow valve 69 so that the water/'passes upwardly through the pipe throughv the rostatic pressureniaazthe;

operation l pipe 92, down through the softening material 2, through the lower end of the pipe 77k`and out the drain. pipe 76. In doing so, the herd water draws brine 94 out pf the brine'tank 5,

injector mechanism, shown in Figure 8 and designated generally 97.

. In this brine line 96 is/localted a refill valve and there is also located a valve in the brine line and a reiill valve designated 72 and 73.

In Figures 11, 12`and 13, which illustrate .1i5 through the brine pipe 96 by the action ofthe these valves insoine detail, itawill be observed that the brine valve consists of a hydrostaticV chamber 98 having a diaphragm bottom 99 .and avalve stem 100 Which'is normally moved into the uppermost position by the spring 101 Y-to close the opening 102in the partition 103 by the valve member 104. This valve stem 100 carriesa locking disk 1,05. This disk is en gaged by the locking plunger 106 impelled by the spring 107 to lock therefill valve 72 in its phragm 115 whichin t u'rn operates a valve valve is closed. When the regeneration op-r stem 116 and a valve member 117 that is adapted to close the opening 118 in the partition 119 in the brine line. AThis valve is normally held open by the spring 120.

' The admission of the hydrostatic pressure to the chamber 114 is controlled by the needle valve 113 which in turn is yieldingly heldin closed position by the springv 121 Within the cap 122. The upper end of the lvalye stem isconnected to a link 123 pivoted on alever 124. This lever is supported pivotallyat 125 on the support 126 which is in turn pivoted upon the casing f the valve 73. The free end of this lever 124 is provided with a pin 127 Working in a slot 128 in a link 129,` the other end of which-is connected to the bell crank In operation, when the softening apparatus is in softeningI position and is softening the water, the brine valve is open and the refill -eration starts, thefhy'drostatic pressure de presses the-refill valve 104-and opens it.

The brine valve is lnormally openby reason .of the spring 120 and brine is drawn from the brine tank .by the injector action hereinbeforedescribed. l y This withdrawal of the brine continues until/the float 110 descends to a predetermined point. In the'm'eanwhile the refill valve 104 has been locked open by means of theplunger 106 which has been pressed into locking position by the spring 107. There is a' loose con.- nedtion between this plunger 106 and the bell crank 108 permitting this.

When the float has descended to a prede-l termined positionI andenough brine has been withdrawn. the bell crank 108 will pull down the link 129 lifting the needle valve 113 admitting hydrostatic pressure through the pipe, 111 opening 112 into the chamber 114 closing the brine valve 1.17 and preventing.'

any further supply of brine.

Water continues to pass' through the water v 1. In an. automatic Water refill valve 72 is locked open by the plunger 10.6. valve to its open normally inoperative position and it does-so, thus both Valves are open vin the positionshown in Figurey 11. Water,

therefore, can pass through the pipe 9 6 and does so from the part of the water going to service during the first part of the flow to service during softening.

This water is refill Water to refill the brinel tank 9.5. ',S'uch refill Water continues to flow until the float 110 and float arm- 109 rise With-- drawing the locking plunger 106 through the bell crank 108., allowing the refill valve 104 to close shutting olf `any further supply of water to the brine tank.

There is nothing to, hold the brine .Surplus Water can drainv from the diaphragm chamber 114 through the finebleed valve 130 to the bleed pipe 131 which empties into"the brine tank 95.-

i It will thus be seen that I amenabled to l operate a Water softening system automatically, only operating it Awhen Water is being zdravvn through the system and therefore only regenerating it when a predetermined quantity of Water isbeing dra-wn through the system.

I synchronize the 'passage of Water with the 'pressure in the pressure reservoir 4and thereby control the-operation of the setting` mechamsm so that the setting mechanism ismoved with-the water through the system and` then only.l When'the Water stops, the setting 'mechanism/,is stopped but the amount of movement of the setting mechanism which has already taken .place is nt lostso that there is perfect synchronism between the passage ofwat'er and the setting of the mechanism. 1 My invent-ion thereforeeliminates Water meters andclocks for timing such mechanism.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my in vention such modifications as may be'necessary to adapt it to varyingconditions and uses. f

Having thus fully described my'invention, what- I claim as new and desire to Letters Patent, is f softening apparatus, Aa container for softening material, a container for regenerating material, means to deliver Water under pressure to the system,`

a pressure reservoir outside of said means but connected therewith, a switch operated thereby, acircuit controlled by said switch,

-means to convert saidgsofteniug apparatus from softening position to regenerating po--. -.sition and back to softening position, and 'means controlled by said circuit for operating' said converting mechanism.

2. In an automatic water, softening appa.- ratus,I a container for softening material, a containerv for regenerating material, means to deliver vWater under pressure to the system, a pressure reservoir outside of said secure by `means but connected therewith, a switch opi `3.7In an automatic Waterv softening appaerated thereby, a circuit controlled by'said `switch,`'means to convert said softening paratu's' l from softening Yposition to regeiier-' ating position and back to softening'position, and means cont-rolled by said circuitfor l.operating said converting mechanism, said mechanism consisting of setting mechanism andi-mechanism to control the hydrostatic pressure to be applied to operating the converting mechanism.

ratus, av container for softening material, a container' for regenerating material, means to deliver water under. pressure to the system, a pressure reservoir outside of said means but connected therewith, a switch operated thereby, a circuit controlledl by said switch, lmeans to convert said softening apparatus 'from softening' position to regenerating position and back to softening position, and means controlled by said circuit foroperating said converting mechanism, said mechanism consisting of setting mechanism and mechanism to control the hydrostatic pressure to applied to operating the converting mechanism, and means so controlled for regulating'the admission-of regenerating material to Ysaid i system andthe replenishing of the regenerating material with fresh Water. 4.-,In anl automatic water softening system, a pressure line, a pressurej reservoir, means to reduce'the pressure in said pressure 'reservoir when the water Hows in said pressure line, and means'controlled'by the pres-` sure in said pressure reservoir for converting said vwateisoften-ing system from softening position to regenerating position and from regenerating position to softening poi sition. i 5. In an automatic water 'softeningappai ratus, a pressure line, a pressure chamber to collect fluidtherefrom separate Afrom the water softening system and-independent of the conditions therein, means controlled by the.

pressure of fluid in said collecting meanscontrolling the converting of the Water softening apparatus from softening vposition to regen-.

f eratingfposition.

6. In an automatic water softening apparatus, a pressure line, a pressure chamber to collect iiuid therefrom separate'from the water softening system and independent. of the conditions therein, means controlled by the pressure of fluid in said collecting means-controlling the converting of the water softening apparatus from softening position to regenerating position, and means for.regulating the quantity of liquid' in said collecting means according to the passage 4,of fluid through said pressure line. i

7. In an automatic pressure system, a pressure line having fluid thereini under pressure,

'a pressure reservoir outside of the pressure line, a switch controlled -by the pressurein Y said reservoir, a circuit connected to said switch, a setting mechanism, a motor for opjeraQii/gsaid setting mechanism connected in qaidcircuit, .and mechanism controlled byy '-so'ft'ener Yapparatus from softening position toregenerating position and back to softening position 'at predetermined intervals accordin .to the quantity offluid' passing Y throug said system.

setting mechanism. for converting said 8. In an-automatic pressure system, a pressure l'ine'having fluid therein under'pressure,

a pressure reservoir separate from the line,-

a switch controlled by thepressure in 'said' reservoir,'a circuit connected vto saidV switch,

'.a setting mechanism a motor for operating lsaid'setting mechanism connected in said circuit, and mechanismcontrolled by said setting mechanism for convertingl said softener apparatus from-softening 'position to regenerating position and back to softening position at" predetermined intervals according to the quantity of Huid passing through the systennsaid converting mechanism consisting of a valve controlled by the setting mechanism to adiriit hydrostatic pressure to a plurality ofvalves-for controlling the softening and Vregenerating operations inthe system, andl a plurality of hydrostatic valves `for said apparatus.-

9. Inan automatic `water softening appa.-

-ratus,a pressure line, a reservoir-outside of b ut cognected therewith, w'ater softening apparatus connectedtherewith, means between said pressure line and said reservoir for adinitting fluid to said reservoir when the fluid is not being drawn through the water soft'ennol therewith, means to admit'pres'sure from the pressure line to the reservoir, means to withdraw fiaiid from the reservoir when water is y passing through the pressure line, a tank containing Water softening material connected to the pressure line, a brine tank, a drain line, said line for conveying fluid to the v 'water softening tank having upper and lower branches leading to the top and bottom 'of the tank, hydrostatic valves therein, a`hyd rostatic valve in the drain line, a service line yconnected to the top of the tank, a brine line connected to the top of the tank vand to the brine tank, an injector associated with said brine line and the line leading to the top of the tank, a brine valve, a refill valve, a needle valve connected to said pressure line, hy- `:irostatic lines leading from said' needle valve to said brine and refill valve and to said valves in the lines leading to the softener and to the drain, a pressure switch on said reservoir, an yac trical circuit, a motor therein and means driven by said motor to operate a carri, a cam and means controlled thereby for operating said needle valve.

ll. A Water softening system having a brine tank, a Water softening tank, lines connecting said tanks and leading to service, an inlet Water line under pressure, the fitting therein having a pair of arcuate passagevvays respectively directed to the incoming side and exit side of the pressure line and having their other vends merging into an exit line to a reservoir, a restricted opening in the arcuate passageway towards the incoming vpassageregenerating position to softeningposition.

Y 122v In a Water softening system, a pressure line, a hydraulic pressure switch connected to said line controlled by the hydraulic pres-l sure in the line, injector means to control the pressure from the line to the hydraulic pressure switch, said line being connected to the Water softening system and said switch being adapted to start and stop the controlling mechanism for the system, controlling mechanism, and means for operating the Water softening system, and means of operating said controlling mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I aliix my signature.

,i HARRY A. TOULMIN, JR. 

